Chapter 39 You Expect Me to Pay?
The afternoon sun spilled through the glass like warm honey, gilding the polished streets of Emerald City.
Bianca was halfway through a quiet moment when her phone lit up with Jessica Webb's name. Jessica's voice was bright, almost conspiratorial.
"Bianca, you have to come with me. There's a new place—Serenity Springs. Top-tier, members only, the kind of spa that makes you forget the world exists."
Bianca hesitated for only a heartbeat. She had been craving some space for herself, a breath outside the confines of her usual routine. With a brief word to Terrence, she let the driver take her downtown.
Serenity Springs rose like a hidden jewel in the heart of the city, its entrance tucked behind manicured hedges and glass doors that whispered of exclusivity. Inside, the air smelled faintly of jasmine and something rarer—money. This was where Emerald City's most polished women came to be seen without seeming to try.
Jessica spotted Bianca and practically rushed over.
"Bianca… be honest with me. What's going on with Mr. Anderson?"
Bianca didn't flinch. "We're married. Papers signed."
Jessica let out a low gasp, eyes sparkling. "Married-married? As in… husband and wife in every sense?"
A faint flush crept over Bianca's cheeks. She shot Jessica a mock glare. "Not yet."
Jessica's smile softened into genuine warmth. "Well, good for you. Honestly, Bianca, Mr. Terrence Anderson is a thousand times better than that Samuel. You should have done this ages ago."
The name Samuel made Jessica's jaw tighten. "And don't even get me started on Blair. I told you she wasn't your friend. All that sisterhood nonsense—just a mask. God knows how many times she's tripped you up behind your back."
Bianca's gaze cooled. "I was naïve. Let's not waste breath on them."
"Fine. Speaking of better things, I heard they've got a new service here."
They followed a uniformed attendant through a long, softly lit corridor. Bianca was just about to step into their private suite when her eyes snagged on two figures lounging in the rest area.
Blair. And her shadow, Wendy Carroll.
Jessica saw them at the same moment. Her smile vanished. She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Of all the luck… Let's keep moving."
Bianca intended to do exactly that, but Blair's head turned. Her expression lit up in a way that felt rehearsed.
"Bianca! What a coincidence." Blair's tone dripped with deliberate sweetness.
"I've been meaning to talk to you," she went on, stepping closer. "About… everything that happened before. It was all a misunderstanding. I didn't handle things well, and you ended up hurt. I was only worried about you—afraid you might make a mistake. I swear, there was nothing else behind it. Are you still upset with me?"
Jessica's lips curled in visible disgust.
Bianca's own smile was razor-thin. "Whether it was a misunderstanding… you know the truth."
The flicker of wounded innocence froze on Blair's face. She couldn't fathom why Bianca's tone had shifted so sharply.
"Why won't you believe me?" Blair pressed, voice trembling.
Wendy jumped in, her words sharp as vinegar. "Blair, don't waste your breath. Some people get Mr. Anderson's attention and suddenly think they're too good for the rest of us. Look at that outfit—must have cost him a fortune. Different world now, isn't it?"
Jessica fired back instantly. "Wendy, maybe worry about your own mess before you start hissing at others. Your jealousy's showing."
Bianca placed a hand on Jessica's arm, her voice cool. "How I spend my money isn't your concern. But since we're talking finances… I hear the Carroll family's been having trouble keeping cash flowing. Yet here you are, critiquing wardrobes. Impressive composure."
Wendy's face blanched, then flushed, her mouth snapping shut.
Blair's frustration deepened. Bianca was no longer the easy mark she remembered—no longer pliable, no longer willing to play along.
Bianca's stomach churned at Blair's performance. She turned away, tugging Jessica along.
"Bianca," Blair called, stepping into her path. There was a subtle urgency in her voice. "Since we're here, why don't we do a treatment together? Serenity Springs has a new skin renewal program—amazing results."
She reached out, aiming for Bianca's arm, but Bianca shifted just enough for the gesture to miss.
Blair's hand hung awkwardly in the air before she withdrew it, masking the sting with another layer of hurt. "Do you really hate me now? We used to share everything. Even Mr. Samuel Anderson… he told me he still can't let you go. He thinks Mr. Terrence Anderson—well, with his eyesight and his unpredictable moods—might not be the best for you. He's only worried you'll be unhappy. I've been worried too."
"Concern?" Bianca stopped, turning back with a smile that was pure ice. Her gaze swept over Blair and Wendy, cutting deep.
"Concern doesn't look like the things you've done behind my back. Should I list them here for everyone to hear?"
She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a blade's whisper. "Or do you think I'm still the fool who let you spin lies, polish glass and call it diamonds, while I kept feeding you both like parasites?"
The words hit like a slap. Blair's face tightened, the color draining.
She didn't understand. Bianca had once been malleable, even timid. Now her eyes carried a weight that made Blair's throat go dry.
At that moment, Kurt Lowe, Serenity Springs' manager, appeared. His smile was professional, but his timing was merciless.
"Ms. Ember, pardon the interruption. The full-body treatment you and your guest enjoyed, along with the premium caviar serum, comes to two hundred eighty-eight thousand dollars. Would you like to settle now or have it billed to your account?"
Blair's cheeks flamed. She hadn't realized the new treatment carried such a price tag—and Kurt's announcement left no room to pretend otherwise.
She glanced at Bianca, an old reflex kicking in. In the past, no matter how expensive the outing, Bianca would either insist on paying or cave under Blair's gentle persistence.
Bianca had once believed Blair's allowance was tight and considered it natural to cover for her. That was before.
Now Blair forced a delicate smile, her voice soft, rehearsed. "Bianca… I came out in a hurry today. Didn't bring enough with me. Could you… cover it for me? I'll pay you back later."